As the first Republican Senator to publically support the pending marriage equality bill in New York, Alesi noted in his speech that he “lost what I thought were a lot of good friends, people that supported me,” but remains “committed to giving people that live in America what every American wants.”

Amidst cheers from the crowd, Alesi remarked “I think I have some new friends.” He considers his vote for marriage equality “the most important thing I think I can do in my 20-year career as a legislator.”